Hoisting and stone-laying apparatus



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G. HUNTER. I HOISTING AND STUNE LAYING APPARATUS. No. 571,122. Patented Nov. 10, 1896.

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G. HUNTER. HOISTIN G AND STONE LAYING APPARATUS. No. 571,122. V Y Patefited Nov. 10, 1896.

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HOI$TING AND STONE LAYING APPARATUS. No. 571,122. Patented Nov. 10. 1896.

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G. HUNTER.

HGISTING AND STONE LAYING APPARATUS.

No. 571,122. r I Patented Nov. 10, 1896.

v i l- L1 fun/42207715 ered up with other heavy stones.

.onto a temporary track which was'erected UNITED STATES PATENT CFFIcE.

GRIFFITH HUNTER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

HOISTING AND STONE-LAYING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 571,122, dated November 10, 1896.

Application filed- December 24, 1891.

To all 1071,0712, it man concern..-

Beit known that I, GRIFFITH HUNTER,a citizen of the United States, residing in Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Hoisting and Stone-Laying Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention relates to apparatus for hoisting and laying heavy foundation-stones in buildings and for other analagous purposes, and more particularly to certain improve ments upon the apparatus heretofore patented to me in Letters Patent of the United States No. 270,675, dated January 16, 1883, and in No. 346,850, dated August 3, 1886.

In my previously-patented apparatus the truck-frame was'supported upon four wheels having fixed axles, and in use the truck frame was run from the street-pavement or sidewalk where the stones were unloaded astride the wall or line of piers in which the stones were to be placed orlaid. 1n the practical use of the apparatus it was necessary to finish one particular wall or line of piers ata time and then remove the temporary track and erect it in position for the succeeding wall or line of piers, and so on until all the foundation-walls of the building were completed. In this way, however, material difficulty, inconvenience, and delay and loss were often occasioned by failure to have at hand the particular stones necessary to go in place in the particular wall or line of piers being at the time laid, and sometimes, too, even though the particular stones necessary were on the ground, trouble would arise from such stones not being readily accessible, being cov- Oneprincipal object of my present improvement is to save such loss of time and the incident expense due to the wages of the idle operators during such time in the practical operation of the apparatus. This new result I accomplish by providing my stone-laying apparatus with means whereby it is adapted to make a right-angle turn and combining it with a network of right-angle tracks embracin g the building area and upon which the apparatus travels and is adapted to make rightangle turns, so that any particular stone that happens to be on the ground may be carried Serial No. 416,069. (No model.)

by the apparatus to the particular wall or pier for which it is designed, thus enabling the apparatus to be worked continually and avoid the delays and loss incident to waiting for particular stones to bedelivered. The network of right-angle tracks may in practice preferably'embrace all the walls or piers of the building or other structure wherein the foundation-stones are to be laid, but may only cover any considerable portion of such area that may be preferred or desired. By making the network of rightangle tracks embrace the whole area of the building all the foundation-walls and piers may be built up evenlyin courses, and my apparatus thus enables the builder to secure the well-known advantage due to this.

Another object of my present improvement is to adapt the apparatus to a variety of analogous uses.

My invention consists in the novel devices and novel combinations of parts and devices herein shown and described, and more particularly set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which similar letters of reference indicate like parts, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view, one of the platforms for the workmen to stand upon being omitted. Fig. 3 is a detail plan view of the right-angle network of tracks upon which the apparatus runs. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view showin g the track construction at the junction of the rails. Fig. 5 is a similar perspective View showing a track construction where the rails cross each other..

Fig. 6 is a vertical section on line 6 6 of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of one of the short removable rail-plate sections inserted at points where the right-angle rails are to be connected. Fig. 8 is a detail vertical section through the caster-bearing of one of the wheels. Fig. 9 is a vertical section on line 9 9 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is an end elevation showing the transverse or substitute trussed frame of the apparatus in place. Fig. 11 is a perspective View of the truck-operating pinion and rack.

In the drawings, A represents the network of right-angle tracks covering the building area or a portion thereof. As illustrated in the drawings, the network A of right-angle tracks comprises two parallel tracks A A and one transverse or cross track A The track consists of a series of sectional rails a, preferably of wood, furnished with sectional flanged rail-plates a. One of the parallel tracks A A preferably extends to the streetpavement or sidewalk where the stones to be laid are deposited. The flanged or channel rail-plate a of the transverse track A is provided at regular intervals with short removable plates 6L2, so that at such points the rails of the tracks may be connected therewith, as desired. The lines A A are designed to be erected astride the walls or lines of piers wherein the stones are to be laid and the removable short rail-plate sections a should be inserted at intervals of only a few feet in the transverse track A so that the parallel tracks A A may be located wherever desired to suit the particular building or structure. Similar removable short rail-plates aare likewise inserted at intervals in the rail-plates of the parallel tracks A A. In the drawings I have shown two parallel tracks A A, but any desired number of the parallel tracks may be employed according to the number of walls or lines of piers in the building or according as convenience may require. here the rails of the parallel tracks A A cross the rails of the transverse track A the adjoining ends of the transverse tracks are connected by railplates a and bolsters w, the latter being preferably of wood. The rails of the parallel track A extend between the track-plates a and the bolsters a and between the abutting ends of the transverse tracks A as is clearly illustrated in Fig. 5.

At the point in the network of tracks where the ends of four rails come together I employ rail-plates a having four limbs, one for each of the four rails, to which they are secured by bolts a". The bolts which pass through the rail plates a and bolsters a are also marked a in the drawings. The flanged or channeled rail-plates a are secured to the rails A by screws 0 or by other suitable means. At the points where the right-angle rails of the network of tracks intersect each other the flanges a of the rail-plates or junction-plates are cut away or the plates left flangeless, so that at this point the wheel 13 of the truck-frame C may be turned at right angles, thus adapting the truck to make a right-angle turn at such point of intersection.

The truck C preferably consists of two par allel longitudinal double beams c c and o 0,. one on each side, and the cross-beams c 0, one at each end, there being a space 0 between the members 0 c of each of the double longitudinal beams.

The axle b of each of the wheels 13 is mounted or j ournaledin avertically-swivelin g block or caster-frame B, which itself turns in a socket B rigidly secured to the beams c c and projecting up between them, as is clearly shown in the drawings at Figs. 8 and 9. The

socket-casting 13 is rigidly secured to the timbers c c by screws 1), which should be countersunk, so that their heads will not interfere with the proper revolution of the caster-block or shaft B in the socket. To give the requisite strength to the caster-block and socket, I make them preferably of a curved and tapered form, substantially as illustrated inthe drawings, so that the double beams c 0 will rest upon them, while at the same time they project up between the two members of the double beam.

To enable me to conveniently turn the wheels B at right angles when desired to alter the direction of movement of the truck, I provide the caster block or shaft B at its upper end with a gear Z1 which is operated by a rack 19 which slides in suitable guides 17 on the beams c c. The middle portion Z2 of the rack 19 is preferably turned at an angle to the two end portions of said rack, and the rack is operated by a gear 79 on the crankshaft Zfi, which is journaled in suitable bearings c on the truck-frame.

To look the wheels 13 in proper position after or before they are turned, I provide the caster-block B with holes 6 in which fits a locking-bolt I), which is held in place nor mally bya spring Z2 This locking-bolt may be lifted to permit the turning of the caster block or shaft by a bent lever b, pivoted at Z) to the caster-socket casting, and which is operated by a line or rope extending from said bent lever b to a Windlass b which is journaled on a removable frame or standard 0, secured to the double beams c c by bolts 0. This frame or standard 0 is made removable for the purposes hereinafter to be explained. The Windlass Z7 is operated by a crank I), and the line extends from the Windlass tothe two bent levers, which operate the locking-bolts for the two wheels upon one side of the frame.

D is a trussed frame which is removably secured to the truck-frame O by bolts. This trussed frame D is furnished with platforms D for the workmen to stand upon and with track-rails D upon which the wheels of the crabs I and F run.

Each of the crabs F F has four flanged wheels f, rigidly secured to shafts f, which extend beneath the crab-frames and are journaled in suitable bearings thereon. Journaled in suitable bearings f on each of the crabframes F F is a Windlass f, furnished with a gear f and the pawl f, which engages the teeth of the gear. The shaft f" of the windlass has a squared end and is adapted to receive the crank. The Windlass is operated by a crank-shaft f which is journaled on the crab-frame in bearings f and is provided wit-h a gear f, that meshes with the gear f on the Windlass. G represents the rope, and G the tackle, the latter being supported from a link g, having a pin g, that rests upon the guide-rails f at the top of the crab-frames. The link 9 is adjustable on these guide-rails.

IIO

By combining two crabs F F with the trussed frame D, each independently adj ustable on the rails of said trussed frame, I am enabled to carry two stones at once upon the apparatus, or, when necessary, to carry very long and heavy stones, one end of the stone being suspended from one crab and the other end of the stone from the other crab.

By turning the crabs about end for end, so that the two windlasses are brought nearer together, the apparatus is well adapted for pulling stumps or other analogous uses, the two windlasses giving double power.

The rails of the trussed frame D extend longitudinally of the apparatus, as will be observed from the drawings; but for many purposes it is desirable to have the trussed frame extend transversely, and I therefore provide the apparatus with a supplemental trussed frame K, having track-rails K at its top and which extends transversely across the truck-frame C. To provide the truckframe with this supplemental transverse trussed frame K, I take out the bolts which secure the removable trussed frame D to the truck-frame and then remove said frame D.

I also remove the standard or removable frame 0, upon which the small windlass is mounted, and insert the vertical standards it of the trussed frame K in place of the Vertical standards of this small frame. After this is done one of the crabs or a similar crab is placed upon the track-rails K of the trussed frame K and the apparatus is again ready for operation.

The trussed frames D and K, both of which are removably secured to the truck-frame O, and upon the rails of which the crab-frames travel, serve to give the necessary elevation to the windlasses or crabs, so that there will be room for the stone within the truck-frame or between its wheels, thus enabling the stone carried upon the apparatus to clear the crossties at upon which the rails of the track are laid, as well as to clear the surface of the pavement or sidewalk when the apparatus is run thereon.

When the supplem ental frame K is substituted for the trussed frame D,it takes the place of both thetrussed frame D and the standard 0, as the supplemental frame is furnished with a bearing for the small windlass Z9 The standards of the supplemental frame K are provided with holes for the line to pass through.

The crank-shaft b is adapted to slide in its bearings 0 to adapt the apparatus to move by or along a close abutting wall or other ob struction with which the end of the crankshaft might otherwise engage. To accomplish this result, the crank-shaft is furnished posts together. The upright posts or vertical standards 70 are also furnished with brackets 76, having flanges 70 to receive the tie rods or bolts 76 By this means the frame K is held rigid and firm when removed from the main track-frame C, so that it will not come apart when so removed. The connectingplates a of the track are furnished atthe joints of the rails with lugs or dowels 0. which enter the rails and serve to render the track rigid and firm.

To adapt the wheel B to be readily turned at the junction of the right-angle tracks, I make its periphery curved or rounding, as clearly indicated in the drawings, Fig. 9, at 79 In order to remedy any weaknes which may exist in those members of frame 0 wherein the caster-wheels are journaled, I place upon each of said members an upright frame 0 and stretch over such frame a metal truss 0, securing the ends of the truss to the ends of the frame members. The frames 0 also serve to support the windlass 19 I claim- 1. In a foundation-stone-laying apparatus the combination with a network of right-angle tracks of a truck-frame furnished with a crab and windlass and having Wheels j ournaled in caster frames or blocks, so that the same may be turned at the junction of said tracks, substantially as specified.

2. In a foundation-stone-laying apparatus the combination with a network of right-angle tracks of a truck-frame furnished with a crab and windlass and having wheels journaled in caster frames or blocks, so that the same may be turned at the junction of said tracks, said caster frame or blocks having gears for turning the same and a rack for operating said gears, substantially as specified.

3. In a foundation-stone-laying apparatus the combination with a network of right-angle tracks of a truck-frame furnished with a crab and windlass and having wheels journaled in caster frames or blocks, so that the same may be turned at the junction of said tracks, said caster frame or blocks having gears for turning the same, and a rack for operating said gears, and a crank-shaft furnished with a gear for operating said rack, substantially as specified.

4. In a foundation-stone-laying apparatus the combination with a network of right-angle tracks of a truck-frame furnished with a crab and Windlass and having wheels journaled in caster frames or blocks so that the same may be turned at the junction of said tracks, and locking-bolts engaging said caster frames or blocks for holding the Wheels in position, substantially as specified.

5. The combination with a truck-frame of a crab and windlass mounted adjustably there'- on, of wheels B for said truck-frame j ournaled in caster-blocks upon said truck-frame and an angle-track upon which said wheels travel, substantially as specified.

6. The combination with truck-frame 0 having double longitudinal beams c c with a space between the members of said double beams, caster-sockets 13 secured to said double beams and projecting between them, caster-blocks B journaled in said sockets and wheels B journaled in said caster-blocks, substantially as specified.

7. In a f0undation-stone-laying apparatus, the combination with a truck-frame (J furnished with wheels B, of a removable frame D having tracks D and a crab-frame and Windlass, and a removable supplemental transverse frame K also furnished with trackrails adapted to receive said crab-frame substantially as specified.

S. The combination of the truck-frame C furnished with wheels journaled in easterblocks, said caster-blocks having gears for operating the same, and a rack the teeth of which mesh with the gears of two of said wheels so as to operate the same simultaneously, substantially as specified.

9. The combination of the truck-frame C furnished with wheels journaled in casterblocks, said caster-blocks having gears for operating the same, and a rack the teeth of which mesh with the gears of two of said wheels so as to operate the same simultaneously, and locking-bolts for holding said easter-blocks in place and mechanism for operating said locking-bolts simultaneously, substantially as specified.

GRIFFITH HUNTER. Vitnesses:

H. M. MUNDAY, EDw. S. EVARTS. 

